Controlling apparatus for cab-stands.



T. DROST.

CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR GAB STAND? i APPLICATION FILED JAN.19, 1912Patented Nov. 12, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

I 'obo ooooooooo' mu Q LMAAEL r. DRO STI v CONTROLLING APPARATUS FORflABfiTANDE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 19,1912.

Patented Nov. 12, 1912 1 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

'rnnonon primer, on HAMBURG, GERMANY.

Specification of Letters Iiatent.

CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR CAB-STANDS.

Patented Nov.12,1912.

Application filed January 19, 1912. Serial No. 672,131.

To all whom "it may concern: 0 Be it-known that I, TI-IEODOR Dnos'r,subgect of the German Emperor, residing at 5 Holzbriiclze, Hamburg,Germany, have invented a certain new and useful Improved ControllingApparatus for Cab-Stands, of which the following is a Specification.

This invention relates to a check controlled indicating mechanism,designed more particularly for cab stands whereby a direct reading ofthe number of cabs at each cab stand may be had, the indications beingproduced by a special indicator apportioned .to each cab stand or branchstation and arranged in sets at the central or controlling static-n.Thus at the latter station it can be seen directly from the indicatorhow many cabs there are at any particular cab stand, the indicatingnumber being changed automatically by a suitable electric connection inaccordance with the departure and arrival of cabs, for which purpose achecking transmitter amiaratus is arranged at each cab station. Aregistering device may also be connected to the apparatus for enabling asubsequent determination of the number of cabs leaving each cab stand.It is also pos sible to combine with the invention a gravity dropannnncia tor for indicating the cab stands, which are becomingunoccupied, and also a registering device for recording the times ofdeparture for each cab stand.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a portion of theapparatus provided at the central station and adapted to indicate thenumber of cabs, the numbers of the peep. holes indicating the cabstands; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on the line C- l? of Fig. 1.showing the ratchet mcchanism operated by two clcctromagnet's andadapted'tor raising and lowering the indicator-rmeks: Fig. 3 representsthe check recciving apparatus provided at the various cab stands. Fig. iis an exterior elevational view of a modified form of apparatus providedat the branch stations or cab stands; Fig. 5 is a. partly perspectiveand partly "liagrannnatic view of this modified form; and Fig. ('3 is adiagrammatic view of the in (limiting means at the central stationadapted to operate in connection with the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The invention contemplates the provision 0? means t'or effecting amechanical dirtance-imlication at a central or controlling stationwhereby the number of cabs which. are present at a cab stand at anygiven time may be quickly seen. Each cab stand is pro-' vided for thispurpose with a fixed apparatus which, aside from other accessories forcontrolling purposes, is adapted for the insertion of cab checks andvisibly indicates by the number of inserted checks the number of cabsavailable at the cabstand. The cab drivers are instructed to inserttheir checks in theapparatus on their arrival at the cab stand and totake the bottom check out of the apparatus before their departure .fromthe cab stand.

According to this invention, an electric indicating mechanism at thecentral station is operated by an electric transmitting device in such amanner that it can be ascertained how many checks are actually in theapparatus. A signal may also be transmitted and registered if desiredeach time a cab leaves the cab stand.

.The check receiving apparatus (Fig. 3) forming part of the mechanismdisclosed in Figs. 1 to 3 is provided with an insertioncontact 79(beneath the check slot 7') and an ejecting contact 9 is provided wherethe cab checks drop into the lower collecting chamber Z or pass to thedelivery opening and are ejected by means of a pusher The contacts 77and Q are in the form of spring contacts (as shown in Fig. 3) but mayalso be arranged so that the circuit is closed with the aid of the metalcab checks themselves.

On arriving at the. cab stand, the cab drivers insert their checks inthe standing or fixed apparatus at j and take their checks out of theapparatus again when leaving the cab stand; the number of checks avisible through the peep hole indicates the number of cabs present atthe cab stand.

An indicating apparatus (Fig. 1) is automatically operathd from thecontacts 7) and q and is provided at the central station where thecentralized control over a group of cab stands, for example, ten cabstands, is exercised. 1

The indicating apparatus (Figs. 1 and 2) comprises as nnlny indicatorsfitted in one single case as there are cab stands. These indicatingdevices are each provided with a vertically adjustable indicator-rack a,whose indicating mark .2 moves over a scale. The figures (l-(iind atethe number of cabs; the

stand or fixed apparatus and indicating ap-- pa e paratus may of coursebe adapted for any desired maximum number of cabs.

The actuation of each rack a is efiected by means of an electromagneticdevice (Fi 2) in the following manner. An electromagnet P is connectedby a line L to the insertion-contact 7) of the stand apparatus (Fig. 3);a second elcctromagnet O is connected by a line L to the ejectingcontact Q (Fig. 3). The line L" establishes the connection with thebattery 13 and earth plate E and on the other hand, the. contacts 7) andq are grounded or earthed with the plate 6.

The electromagnet P controls an armature t), which is provided with abifurcated pawl 'b 0 whose one arm 6 engages as a pawl in the teeth ofthe indicator rack. The latter is also provided in accordance with itsteeth with a number of laterally projecting pins (7 and the spring pawl(Z engages with these pins in such a manner that they secure the rack ain its upward position, whereby a stepwise upward movement takes placeas often as the electromagnet P is ena ergized and the armature. Z) withits pawl is drawn upward; A. spring 5 subsequently draws the armature I)back again into the initial position. The spring armature m having theprojection n is controlled by the elcctromagnet O and the projection aprotrudes through the gap between the pins 0 against the head of thepawl 61 in such a manner that in the first place the pawl (Z isdisengaged from the-pins c rearwardly and in the second place the pawl bis released from engagement with the rack a by means of thepawl-extension (Z engaging at If. The rack a is therefore free and dropsuntil the movement is temporarily limited by one of the pins 0 bearingagainst the projection n. It the armature m swings back when theelectromagnct is released, the projection 91 allows the pin c restingthereon to slide downward and the pawl d again arrests the rack a in alower position whereupon the pawl b engages again.

The apparatus above described operates so that when the contact {I ofthe check receiving apparatus (Fig; is temporarily closed once, twiceor-several times by an ejected cab check, the electromagnet 0 will beenergized and a rack a will be lowered one, two or several steps. Thecontact 27 operated by the insertion of the check causes the stepwiselifting of the rack a so that this rack with its indicator indicates thenumber of cabs actually at the cab stand (No.

It in consequence ot the departure of thp last cab, the cab stand isvacantand the indicator z tl'ieret'ore descends to the zero posi tion,the circuit can be completed to a gravity drop annunciator or indicator(not shownlby a spring contact at f(Fig. 2) which the rack a depressesinto its low position for closing the circuit. The contact 7 leads tothe indicator by means of the conductors marked, To the indicator. Thenumber of the cab stand would then. be marked on this annunciat-or by asignal indicating that the stand. is vacant and requircs re-occupation.

To enable a call to be made from the central station to a. cab stand, au:1agnetogencrator J (indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2) in"combination with interrupters may be DIO lClQd so that an alternatingcurrent can i be sent over the lines L L and produce a loud signal atthe standing apparatus (Fig. 3). This appa atus may also be providedwith the coin operated call apparatus for night service.

.ln order to cut out the circuit leading from 7' to the annunciator, aplug interrupter, as indicated at t in Figs. 1 and 2, may be provided;the loosely hanging plug would then also indicate the vacant cab stand.

In Fig. 2 the connection with a register ingl'nechanism is also shown bywa y of example. For this purpose, a current line B R is connected atone terminal to the armature m and to the pawl d at the otherterminal,..su ch lines leading to a time recording mechanism after themanner of a control cloc. Consequently, a recording of the time takesplace simultaneously with the oper ation of the electromagnet O. i

A modified construction of the whole system is shown in Figs. are, whichis based. on a more simple electric transmitting,means, which depends onthe cutting in and out of y the resistance by means of the metal. cab

checks. As shown in Fi 4.- the apparatus case A is provided with a glasscovered peep hole, through which the check pile or stack a and the spacelimited below by a piston b can be seen. The number of checks stackedtherein can therefore be directly determined. There is provided abpve apusher having a handle (1. \Vhen this pusher is moved to the left, acheck is ejected so that it drops into the delivery receptacle a: on theleft; farther above is a pusher adapted to be operated by a handle 7)and when this pusher is moved to the left on the check being previouslyinserted in the slot 0, the check assumesits position at the upper endof the pile. The remaining equipment of the apparatus pretenbly embodiesa telephone system; in the upper part is the speaking opening 25 of thetelephone, while for the purpose of sending a call a coin slot may beprovided at y with a. coin trecd calling mechanisn'i.

The arrangemel'lt of the stack a with pushers is best seen in Fig. 53.The piston I) supporting the check pile a and forced up by a spring orthe like is provided with a downwardly extending rod 0 provided with therack d. The latter engages with a toothed wheel 2 which has fixedthereto the switch arm or contact adjuster Z". The same moves over thestep contacts 1, 2, 3 10 of the row of resistances r r 1' l0 andaccording to its angular position, it

eticcts the cutting in of more orlessresistanrcs of this row. 'lliecircuit'l/ L leads to the measuring instrument B (Fig. 6) at the centralstation and the indicator 2 of the measuring instrument is moved,according to the resistance switched in, to the position correspondingto that of the switch arm 7s. onsequently, the switching position of thearm k and the indicating position of the indicator 5 on the measuringinstrument B depend on the height of the pile or stack a.

lf'he introduction or insertion of acheck takes place at the upper endof the pile where the top check is arrested by a dc ressed hingedabutment 9' having the cam 1ncline g. The check is inserted through theslot 0, passes in the path of a pusher 8 whichis adapted to be moved tothe left by ,ineans' f the handle 7) against the action of the spring fand is guided under the action of this pusher along guides over the pilespace. The check moves under the cam incline g of the hinged abutmentwhen the latter is released from the upwardly acting projection s of thepusher. Consequently,

the check forces itself in between the part 9 and the previous topcheckand assumes the position of the same. During therearward movementof thepusher s (to the right) the projection s is again guided on an inclineover the back of the hinged abutmentg so that the latter again forms thelocking abutment with respect to the pile of checks. A spring tongue orpawl n temporarily prevents the rearward movement of the check ininsertedat the top.

The pusher a carrying the handle q" and connected to a spring t servesfor ejecting a check from the pile or stack. If this pusher is moved tothe left against the spring action, the flat head of the pusher, whosethickness is in proportion to that of the check, enters the pile spacelaterally and forces a clieck'outwardly through a slot 2 on the otherside of the pile. After falling out, the check passes into the aforesaiddelivery receptacle :1: (Fig. 4.) where the cab driver may take thesame. As soon as the handle (1 is released, the pusher u is re tractedand the piston b" raises the other checks one step.

Asthc checks are of the sametl'iickness, the step-position of the pistonlikewise dctermincs the number of inserted checks. The position of thepiston also varies the switching position of the rheostat controllingswitch 7: and the indicator a ot' the indicating instrument B at thecontrolling station is adjusted accordingly. Thus. the

a manner that the arrival (insertion of a" check) or the departure of acab (ejection of a check) issignal i'zed by a calling signal at thecentral station, so that telephonic communication with the cab driverfor purposes of control is rendered possible.

Fig. 6 also shows how a local circuit can be closed when the apparatusis in the zero position and the circuit L L is interrupted, namely, byan auxiliary spring 9' forming a relay contact with the indicator 2.This auxiliary device may also he used for sig naling or recordingpurposes, as in the case of the constructional form according to Figs.1-3. V

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my saidinvention and in what'manner the same is to be performed, I declare thatwhat- I claim and wishto secure by Letters Patent is:

l central. station and one or'more branch stations, check receivingmeans at each branch station, indicating means at the central station,and means at the central station, operable automatically by theinsertion or withdrawal of checks at said receiving means, for actuatingsaid indicating means to an extent and in an indicating directioncorresponding to the number of checks inserted or withdrawn.

In check controlled indicating mechw TliSlil'), an electric circuitincluding therein a central station and one or more branch stations,check receiving means at each branch station, indicating means at thecentral station, and means operable automatically by the insertion orWithdrawal of checks at said receiving means, for actuating said in-(llCtllllllQ' means in a step by step motion to an extent and in anindicating dlrection corresponding to the number of checks inserted orwithdrawn.

4-. in check controlled indicating mechanism. an electric circuitincluding therein a central station and one or more branch indication ofthe number of calls available stations. rlu' lc receiving means at eachtions check receiving means at each branch station, indicating means atthe central sta tion adapted to travel in two directions correspondingto the insertion or Withdrawal of checks at the branch stations, andmeans operable automatically through the medium of said circuit by theinsertion or Withdrawal of checks at said receiving means for actuet ingsaid indicating means to an extent and in an indicating directioncorresponding to the number of checks inserted or Withdrawn.

6 In check controlled indicating mechanism an electric circuit includingtherein a central station and one or more b 'anch stations, checkreceiving means at each branch station, a reciprocating indicator at thecentral station and a plurality of electromagnetic means operableautomatically by the insertion or withdrawal of checks at said receivingmeans for moving said indicator in a direction and to an extentcorrcspending to the number of checks inserted or witl'idrawn.

7. In check controlled indicating mechanism, an electric circuitincluding therein a central station and one or more branch stations,check receiving means at each branch SiliiiiOll, electrical contacts ateach branch stamenus electrically connected with the re A spectivecontacts at the branch station and adapted to actuate said indicatingmeans in a direction and to an extent corresponding to the number ofchecks inserted or withdrawn.

8. In check controlled indicating mecha nism, an electric circuitincluding therein a, central station and one or more branch stationscheclrreceiving means at each branch station, indicating mettns at thecentral station including a reciprocating rack bar, an electricalcontact at each receiving means adapted to be operated by the insertionof a check at said receiving means, an electio magnet at the centralstation and under control of said contact, an. armature for saidelectro-magnet including; a pawl adapted to engage the teeth in saidrack bar and move the latter to an extent corresponding to the number ofchecks inserted at the check re ceiving means, a second contact at saidreceivin; means adapted to be operated upon the withdrawal of checkstherefrom, :1, second elcctro-magnet at said central station inelectrical connection with said second mentioned contact and an armaturefor said second eleetro-magnet adapted to release said pawl from saidrack upon withdrawal of check from said. receiving means.

in testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THEODOR DROST.

Witnesses:

En); ns'r ll. L. ll'lUMMEXIIOFE, inn CHIus'r. I'iAhtlRhlAN

